Condoleezza Rice:  “I do agree that the tsunami was a wonderful opportunity to show not just the US government, but the heart of the American people, and I think it has paid great dividends for us.” [Source: Dr. Rice’s senate confirmation hearing, according to Agence France Presse, Tuesday, January 18, 2005.]
Maybe that helps explain His mysterious ways. See, He decided to blow away all those impoverished dark-skinned masses (and a couple thousand westerners who were in the wrong place at the wrong time) so that these United States would have a “wonderful opportunity” to display our benevolence and generosity.

Millions of people are praying for the Pope’s recovery, NPR informs us this morning.
As a hardline atheist, I have a problem with the prayer part, but leaving that aside: why would anybody who cares about the human race pray for someone who intentionally discourages millions of people from practicing safe sex and birth control? It just doesn’t make any sense.